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I went to the movies yesterday. My choice? Miracles from Heaven. It's based on a true story about a little girl who survives a fatal disease with no scientific explanation...miracle.
The movie is emotional. I sobbed my way through it...you know, the ugly cry. As I was leaving and thinking about what I thought of the movie, a question popped into my head. Why do I always love the sad stories?
It's not just movies, it's books too. My students joke when they get to know my book taste and ask me, "Ms. Haseltine, is this one sad too?" Miracles from Heaven wasn't sad, it was emotional. That's what I love, feeling the emotions. I love when words or images on the screen touch me so much that I laugh out loud or cry.
It's not just movies, it's books too. My students joke when they get to know my book taste and ask me, "Ms. Haseltine, is this one sad too?" Miracles from Heaven wasn't sad, it was emotional. That's what I love, feeling the emotions. I love when words or images on the screen touch me so much that I laugh out loud or cry.
Here are some of my other favorite tear-jerkers...
Benjamin Alire Sáenz writes characters that grab my heart. Aristotle & Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe really touched me. Last Night I Sang to the Monster...oh my goodness, the UGLY cry. I remember reading that book, sitting on my couch and sobbing because of what that character was experiencing. (By the way, how do authors do that?!?!)
John Green can do that too. The Fault in Our Stars brought up all of the emotions...tears, laughter, frustration, angst! It's the struggle that moves me.
The book Me Before You by JoJo Moyes brought the joy and tears too! At the movies yesterday, I saw a preview for the movie and all of those feelings came back.
The question of "Why?" remains. Watching movies or reading books about complicated life situations will inevitably bring laughter and tears. This is what life is. Feeling. Crying. Laughing. Loving. Living.
I think one of the reasons that you are a writer is that you are always wondering, always thinking. I've never thought about that either- but I think I find those books and movies that tug at my emotions satisfying too. I sobbed reading Me Before You and The Fault In Our Stars. Don't know the movie you referenced, but I am going to check it out!
ReplyDeleteI agree that the most powerful books are the ones that evoke strong emotions--often the ones that make you gut cry. I blogged earlier this month about the impact the book, The Nightingale, had on me. I felt the same way about The Book Thief. Me Before You was also a definite sob-story--moving and tremendously thought-provoking. I'm embarrassed to admit that I've avoided John Green's stories because I really don't like crying.
ReplyDeleteI am the opposite! Because I cry in it seems every book - I don't want to see sad/emotional movies. It's kind of terrible. If I know a book is going to make me cry, I kind of avoid it. I read Linda Mullaly Hunt's One for the Murphys and cried for 3/4 of the book. If you haven't read it, you might try that one.
ReplyDeleteOh yes! Read it. Cried through it! :) Great one!!
DeleteTotally agree -- and I love the term "the ugly cry" -- I will remember that one. I want to see Miracles from Heaven - thanks for the reminder!!
ReplyDeleteClare
I love crying as well. It feels so good to have a "good cry". It would be interesting to have everyone post about the top five books that made them cry.
ReplyDeleteRight there with you! Have you read Orbiting Jupiter? That one got me! Megan bought Me Before You on our shopping trip Monday. Might have to borrow that one from her!
ReplyDeleteMaybe we cry because we are reading about other humans who are having a hard time, and we want to help, wish they didn't have to go through such a hard time. I also cry when there are sad stories on the news. Thanks for sharing your favorites, Michelle. I don't know "Last Night I Sang To The Monster"!
ReplyDeleteI'm a sucker for the ugly cry too. I watch sad or emotional movies or tv episodes over and over again. It feels good to cry! I do the same with songs. There are songs that I know will make me cry. Either because they are actually sad lyrically or I have a sad connection to them. And I have times that I put them on so I can get that ugly cry out!
ReplyDeleteI feel like I always cry because the characters in books and films experience what I do, but on a much purer, more eloquent way than I do. Why WOULDN'T I take advantage of that?
ReplyDeleteI think we seek this because it make us feel. We need it.
ReplyDeleteI think right away of a children's book, The Littlest Angel, I read to my children when they were young that I still love. The story is so sweet and touching-especially to a mom with 4 sons. I cried every time I read it to them. I still cry. But I love the book. So, I totally "get" your slice. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI always cry with a good sad book or movie. Sometimes you just need to cry. I am a very emotional person, crying is something that I do often...and sometimes I don't even know why! :) I think sometimes we just need to release. I want to see that movie too! I"m glad it was good.
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